Marketing

PR Driving "Carbon Neutral" Greenwashing

by Bob Burton — September 16, 2008 - 4:10am

The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) is alarmed about the extent of corporate greenwashing. The authority's chief executive, Frank Goodman, explained, "You are not allowed to say your product is good for the environment unless you can prove this.

Main Source: 
The Sunday Times (UK), September 14, 2008

Sears to Start Selling Line of Official U.S. Military Garb

by Anne Landman — September 2, 2008 - 9:25pm

Sears has entered into a first-ever deal with the United States Military to market a new line of officially sanctioned, military-styled clothing to men, women and boys.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, September 2, 2008

Best-Selling Cholesterol Drugs Found Ineffective

by Anne Landman — September 2, 2008 - 12:53pm

Three million people worldwide are taking the new, heavily advertised anti-cholesterol drugs Zetia and Vytorin, despite a lack of clinical evidence that they reduce cardiovascular disease or heart attacks, or help patients live longer.

Main Source: 
New York Times, September 1, 2008

Polishing Demand for the iPhone

by Judith Siers-Poisson — August 28, 2008 - 5:34pm

There were long lines of people in Poland to buy the new iPhone 3G, just like in the U.S. But in Poland, those lined up were paid actors. The Polish subsidiary of the French firm France Telecom (Orange) admitted that they had staged the popular demand for the new device. "It was a marketing stunt," said Wojciech Jabczynski, the spokesperson for the French company.

Main Source: 
PCINpact, August 24, 2008

Merck Makes Science Sell

by Diane Farsetta — August 20, 2008 - 3:13pm

An analysis of Merck internal documents concluded that the pharmaceutical company carried out a clinical study of Vioxx in 1999, "primarily to support a marketing campaign before the drug's launch." Merck stated that the study was done "to test side effects of the painkiller Vioxx," which was pulled from the market in 2004, after being linked to an increased risk of heart attacks.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), August 19, 2008

Yet Another Kind of Fake News

by Diane Farsetta — August 20, 2008 - 1:35pm

As more newspapers and other media outlets cut staff, public relations and advertising make gains. The Minnesota-based firm ARAnet provides "free print and Web content. ... More than 65 of the nation's top 100 newspapers, including the Star Tribune, use" ARAnet content, which "carries client messages." ARAnet president Scott Severson says his firm provides "high-quality consumer content" that "just happen[s] to be underwritten by our clients." ARAnet clients pay $4,500 for content creation, tracking and reporting; media outlets use it for free.

Main Source: 
MinnPost.com, August 18, 2008

Philip Morris Caught in Second Concert Sponsorship in Philippines

by Anne Landman — August 13, 2008 - 4:22pm

Last month, when pop singer Alicia Keys protested Philip Morris International's (PMI) sponsorship of her concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, PMI was forced to pull down posters and billboards that promoted the event.

Main Source: 
MarketWatch, the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, August 12, 2008

Marketers Admit to Engaging in Media Pay for Play

by Diane Farsetta — August 4, 2008 - 11:29am

According to a survey of 252 U.S. chief marketing officers, nearly one in five "say their organizations have bought advertising in return for a news story." The survey was conducted on behalf of the public relations firm Manning, Selvage & Lee (MSL) and the trade publication PR Week (which doesn't appear to have reported on the results).

Main Source: 
Manning Selvage & Lee, July 30, 2008
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